Three Days of Frenzied Growth
Only those who passed through the first training hall and cleared Ian's test could benefit from the magic circle.
The immense boon of accelerated skill growth rates.
Ian approached Mu-hyuk, whose face was flushed with excitement.
"It'll be of help to you."
"Ah, thank you."
"You have three days. Grow as much as you can within that time."
With those words, Ian departed, leaving Mu-hyuk alone. He took a deep breath to calm his racing heart.
Maximum efficiency is key.
Recalling some skeletons would reduce experience for the summon skill. To gain exp fastest, he needed them all summoned.
Which meant his top priority was MP.
Mu-hyuk opened the auction system and searched for mana potions.
Considering his active skills, he needed at least Mana Potion (Medium), but the price made him hesitate.
He couldn't stop his face from twisting as he let out a sigh.
Haa... damn it...
He quickly did the math.
Six per hour.
About 90 for a full day.
Three days made 270 total.
Five gold each—that was 1,350 gold.
Over ten million won in cash.
Is this insane?
Who the hell uses this stuff?
Of course, some top rankers did. But even they didn't burn through it like water—they saved it for when it was absolutely necessary.
Way too expensive.
But he undeniably needed it.
"Hmm..."
Maybe just ten for now.
That was still 50 gold.
Blood money—half a million won.
Swipe.
He reached out and hit purchase.
Confirm purchase?
[Yes / No]
His finger trembled as it hovered.
One-time use item.
A potion that vanished after one gulp!
And he was dumping half a million won into it. Half a million—that wasn't chump change; back in the day, he'd have slaved ten days at work for that.
Spending it in an instant twisted his gut.
But skipping mana potions now would be idiotic.
Mu-hyuk squeezed his eyes shut and hit Yes.
Purchase complete.
No way was he wasting MP potions now that he'd bought them.
Absolutely not.
Mu-hyuk summoned all his skeletons.
"Summon."
Then, whenever cooldowns reset, he fired off his two active skills: Powerful Arrow Shot and Blessing of the Dead.
Meditation was passive, so it leveled just by leaving it on.
As he focused, stray thoughts faded.
Kirrik, kiririk.
The skeletons' clatter.
Pang!
Arrows launching.
Thud, thump.
Straw dummies taking hits. That was all that filled the training grounds.
About an hour later.
Insufficient MP.
Dizziness crept in again.
Swipe.
He pulled a potion from his inventory and stared at it.
Fifty thousand won bottled up right there. He cautiously uncorked it. A crisp scent tickled his nose.
But regret hit first, not temptation.
What could he do, though?
Down the hatch.
"Damn it!"
He spat a curse and chugged it.
Mana Potion (Medium) used.
10 MP recovered every 10 seconds.
Lasts 10 minutes.
His base MP regen, plus potion, plus Meditation—MP refilled at a terrifying rate.
"Skeleton Warrior Summon. Skeleton Archer Summon. Skeleton Mage Summon."
All summoned again, he ordered dummy assaults.
Powerful Arrow Shot!
Arrows flew in unison.
Blessing of the Dead!
That was when it happened.
Mu-hyuk didn't get excited.
Level 1 skills grew fast by nature.
Still level 1 skills. But before the day ended, messages popped again.
Now he couldn't hold back his excitement.
Crazy!
Skeleton Mastery rising was great, but the real thrill was his Warrior and Archer summons—barely level 5—leveling up.
"..."
Mu-hyuk blankly checked his skills.
Skeleton Warriors and Archers hit level 6: 12 warriors, 6 archers possible.
Up to level 10 was manageable normally, but not for him.
No Wisdom or Knowledge stats meant MP was always a strain.
Level 11 would crush him.
But he couldn't skip leveling summons.
Had to push through.
Alright, again.
Mu-hyuk's training continued.
Time flew.
Midnight passed before he knew it.
Potions gone, fatigue setting in.
He logged out, promising tomorrow.
Out of the capsule, quick shower, straight to bed.
*
Regrettably, the magic circle's effect waned over time.
No more cheat-level growth like day one.
Still double normal speed, so Mu-hyuk trained relentlessly.
Powerful Arrow Shot.
Arrow slammed the dummy.
-642 HP
Over 600 damage.
"Whew."
Level 5 Powerful Arrow Shot at 160% base made it possible.
Huge growth in three days.
But still not enough.
Regret swelled with time running out.
The moon rose as the three days ended.
Almost done.
About an hour left on the circle.
Mu-hyuk bought more potions from auction for a final sprint.
Chugging and training.
Magic circle has expired.
Skill growth rate returned to normal.
"Hooah."
Three days' fatigue crashed down.
Mu-hyuk collapsed, savoring rest.
Flopped back, staring at the darkening sky and rising moon, easing mental strain.
Snapping to, he reviewed his gains.
Blessing of the Dead level 4: 390% damage/heal.
Meditation level 5: +45 MP regen.
Skeleton Mastery level 5: +5% attack/defense.
Skeleton Warrior level 7: 14 summons, 3 MP each.
Skeleton Archer level 7: 7 summons, 3 MP each.
Skeleton Mage level 4: 4 summons, 3 MP each.
About that much.
Whew, insane.
Footsteps approached from afar.
Instructor Ian.
Mu-hyuk rose.
"Magic circle training is over."
"I know."
"Satisfied with the results?"
More than enough.
Levels that'd take ages—cleared in three days.
"Plenty."
"Good. Tests and training done."
"One question."
"What?"
"Anyone else passed your test?"
"Yes."
"How many?"
"One."
Not just one second hall either.
Across the continent...
He pondered, then shook his head.
No clue.
Maybe under ten, or dozens.
But Mu-hyuk was in that elite group.
Level 50 too.
Stats and skills dwarfed same-level players.
He was vastly stronger.
Now the real start.
Top ranker's level?
1st: Dark (Holy Knight 65Lv)
2nd: 64Lv
...
Only first place mattered.
Dark.
15-level gap now.
Faster than expected.
Closing, but 65 already—surprising.
Each had their edge.
Titles, dungeon clears—whatever.
Rankers had something normal players lacked.
Secrets propelling them ahead. He had to catch up, prep for the first episode soon.
"Anyway, thanks."
"Sure. If fate wills it, we'll meet again. A gift."
Mu-hyuk took the box from Ian.
"Thank you."
Bowed and left the grounds.
He'd wanted next hall's location, but knew Ian wouldn't tell. Swallowed the words.
Third training hall.
Exists, but location unknown.
He'd find it someday.
Opening the gift.
Flash!
The expected title.
Felt the growth as he headed to Black Ghostwood Forest, where Sung Min-woo hunted.
*
Sung Min-woo trading blows with a White Ghostwood slightly below level.
"Hraaap!"
Faint spirits—four of them—assisted.
Flickering flames, chilling water drops, rising vines, slicing winds enveloping him.
But Sung Min-woo shone brightest.
Thwack!
Punch to the face launched it high.
He bent his knees, jumped using the bounce, heel to the sky.
Flexible pose slammed down, cratering the foe.
Fire!
Flames erupted, incinerating it.
Experience gained.
One down, he exhaled held breath. Someone approached from behind, whistling in admiration.
"Oho?"
Sung Min-woo turned, grinning wide.
"Ah, you're here?"
"Stronger than I thought?"
"Heh, I'm pretty badass, right?"
Mu-hyuk, back from training.